http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/
Doug Bandow - The Politics of Plunder - ForbesDoug Bandow's stories. The Politics of Plunder: I write about domestic and international policy.http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/7d89c64a092981dbb4f9e5dc28c1b001?s=400&amp;d=http%3A%2F%2F1.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D400&amp;r=Ghttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/03/31/u-s-should-stop-collecting-allies-like-facebook-friends-alliances-should-benefit-america/
U.S. Should Stop Collecting Allies Like Facebook Friends: Alliances Should Benefit AmericaWashington collects allies like most people accumulate Facebook friends. Instead, the U.S. should start dropping Allies In Name Only.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/03/31/u-s-should-stop-collecting-allies-like-facebook-friends-alliances-should-benefit-america/Tue, 31 Mar 2015 07:00:00 -0400Washington collects allies like most people accumulate Facebook friends. Instead, the U.S. should start dropping Allies In Name Only.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/03/30/north-korea-advances-along-the-nuclear-path-washington-should-switch-from-coercion-to-engagement/
North Korea Advances Along The Nuclear Path: Washington Should Switch From Coercion to EngagementNorth Korea could amass a nuclear arsenal with as many as 100 weapons in five years. The U.S. should switch to engagement over isolation.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/03/30/north-korea-advances-along-the-nuclear-path-washington-should-switch-from-coercion-to-engagement/Mon, 30 Mar 2015 07:00:00 -0400North Korea could amass a nuclear arsenal with as many as 100 weapons in five years. The U.S. should switch to engagement over isolation.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/03/24/u-s-should-make-nuclear-deal-with-iran-americans-must-insist-that-washington-choose-peace/
U.S. Should Make Nuclear Deal With Iran: Americans Must Insist That Washington Choose PeaceThe nuclear negotiations with Iran offer the possibility of limiting proliferation and reducing tensions in the Middle East. Americans should insist that Washington make peace.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/03/24/u-s-should-make-nuclear-deal-with-iran-americans-must-insist-that-washington-choose-peace/Tue, 24 Mar 2015 09:40:00 -0400The nuclear negotiations with Iran offer the possibility of limiting proliferation and reducing tensions in the Middle East. Americans should insist that Washington make peace.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/03/17/religious-persecution-and-hostility-on-the-rise-the-first-freedom-is-under-global-siege/
Religious Persecution And Hostility On The Rise: The First Freedom Is Under Global SiegeReligious persecution and hostility are rising worldwide. The First Freedom is under siege, which threatens all of us.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/03/17/religious-persecution-and-hostility-on-the-rise-the-first-freedom-is-under-global-siege/Tue, 17 Mar 2015 07:00:00 -0400Religious persecution and hostility are rising worldwide. The First Freedom is under siege, which threatens all of us.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/03/16/leave-afghanistan-to-the-afghans-obama-administration-should-speed-military-withdrawal/
Leave Afghanistan To The Afghans: Obama Administration Should Speed Military WithdrawalThirteen years of war in Afghanistan are more than enough. The Obama administration should speed up the withdrawal of U.S. troops.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/03/16/leave-afghanistan-to-the-afghans-obama-administration-should-speed-military-withdrawal/Mon, 16 Mar 2015 07:29:00 -0400Thirteen years of war in Afghanistan are more than enough. The Obama administration should speed up the withdrawal of U.S. troops.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/02/26/libya-hold-policymakers-accountable-for-another-washington-war-gone-bad/
Libya: Hold Policymakers Accountable For Another Washington War Gone BadThe war lobby insists that failure is never its fault. The American people must hold policymakers accountable for their bloody mistakes.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/02/26/libya-hold-policymakers-accountable-for-another-washington-war-gone-bad/Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:00:00 -0500The war lobby insists that failure is never its fault. The American people must hold policymakers accountable for their bloody mistakes.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/02/21/washingtons-foolish-foreign-policy-american-people-must-say-no-to-more-wars/
Washington's Foolish Foreign Policy: American People Must Say No To More WarsAmerican politicians are determined to intervene everywhere all the time. The American people must start electing leaders who stop doing 'stupid stuff.'Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/02/21/washingtons-foolish-foreign-policy-american-people-must-say-no-to-more-wars/Sat, 21 Feb 2015 09:44:00 -0500American politicians are determined to intervene everywhere all the time. The American people must start electing leaders who stop doing 'stupid stuff.'http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/02/18/liberty-dies-as-thailands-military-monopolizes-power-junta-dispenses-repression-instead-of-happiness/
Liberty Dies As Thailand's Military Monopolizes Power: Junta Dispenses Repression Instead Of HappinessThailand's military junta is delivering repression instead of happiness to the Thai people. Democracy and liberty have died.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/02/18/liberty-dies-as-thailands-military-monopolizes-power-junta-dispenses-repression-instead-of-happiness/Wed, 18 Feb 2015 08:24:00 -0500Thailand's military junta is delivering repression instead of happiness to the Thai people. Democracy and liberty have died.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/02/16/president-proposes-war-against-islamic-state-what-has-u-s-been-doing-for-last-6-months/
President Proposes War Against Islamic State: What Has U.S. Been Doing For Last 6 Months?President's war authority bill would entangle U.S. in more conflicts. Congress should end old not start new wars.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/02/16/president-proposes-war-against-islamic-state-what-has-u-s-been-doing-for-last-6-months/Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:00:00 -0500President's war authority bill would entangle U.S. in more conflicts. Congress should end old not start new wars.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/02/05/japan-must-join-the-world-and-arm-itselfterrorist-killings-highlight-tokyos-need-for-real-defense/
Japan Must Join The World And Arm Itself: Terrorist Killings Highlight Tokyo's Need For Real DefenseJapan continues to expand its international role. It now should take over its own defense and stop relying on America.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/02/05/japan-must-join-the-world-and-arm-itselfterrorist-killings-highlight-tokyos-need-for-real-defense/Thu, 5 Feb 2015 09:17:00 -0500Japan continues to expand its international role. It now should take over its own defense and stop relying on America.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/01/28/ukraines-conflict-with-russia-isnt-americas-fight-part-2/
Ukraine's Conflict With Russia Isn't America's Fight, Part 2Washington should stay out of the Ukraine-Russia fight. It is a tragedy, but only a negotiated compromise offers hope for a stable peace.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/01/28/ukraines-conflict-with-russia-isnt-americas-fight-part-2/Wed, 28 Jan 2015 05:45:00 -0500Washington should stay out of the Ukraine-Russia fight. It is a tragedy, but only a negotiated compromise offers hope for a stable peace.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/01/27/greeks-vote-against-euro-and-european-union-and-for-home-rule-and-democracy/
Greeks Vote Against Euro And European Union And For Home Rule And DemocracyGreeks have voted left and may destroy their economy. But they also may save democracy in Europe.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/01/27/greeks-vote-against-euro-and-european-union-and-for-home-rule-and-democracy/Tue, 27 Jan 2015 11:38:00 -0500Greeks have voted left and may destroy their economy. But they also may save democracy in Europe.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/01/24/saudi-arabia-as-americas-frenemy-obama-to-visit-ally-which-makes-world-more-dangerous/
Saudi Arabia As America's Frenemy: Obama To Visit 'Ally' Which Makes World More DangerousPresident Obama set to visit American frenemy Saudi Arabia. Riyadh continues to make the world more dangerous.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/01/24/saudi-arabia-as-americas-frenemy-obama-to-visit-ally-which-makes-world-more-dangerous/Sat, 24 Jan 2015 09:42:00 -0500President Obama set to visit American frenemy Saudi Arabia. Riyadh continues to make the world more dangerous.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/01/22/u-s-should-stay-out-of-the-russo-ukrainian-quarrel-a-bakers-dozen-reasons-why-the-conflict-in-ukraine-is-not-americas-business-part-one/
U.S. Should Stay Out Of The Russo-Ukrainian Quarrel: Why The Conflict In Ukraine Isn't America's Business, Part IThe U.S. should stay out of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. It is a tragedy, but an extended confrontation is in no one's interest, especially America's.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/01/22/u-s-should-stay-out-of-the-russo-ukrainian-quarrel-a-bakers-dozen-reasons-why-the-conflict-in-ukraine-is-not-americas-business-part-one/Thu, 22 Jan 2015 07:35:00 -0500The U.S. should stay out of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. It is a tragedy, but an extended confrontation is in no one's interest, especially America's.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/01/11/world-marches-for-charlie-hebdo-against-violent-intolerance-the-real-atrocity-is-religious-persecution-not-free-expression/
World Marches For Charlie Hebdo Against Violent Intolerance: The Real Atrocity Is Religious Persecution, Not Free ExpressionThe terrorist murders in Paris are an international reflection of religious persecution in Muslim nations around the globe.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2015/01/11/world-marches-for-charlie-hebdo-against-violent-intolerance-the-real-atrocity-is-religious-persecution-not-free-expression/Sun, 11 Jan 2015 17:03:00 -0500The terrorist murders in Paris are an international reflection of religious persecution in Muslim nations around the globe.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/26/ukraine-wants-to-join-nato-and-fight-russia-u-s-must-say-no-and-make-alliance-an-issue-of-security-not-charity/
Ukraine Wants To Join NATO And Fight Russia: U.S. Must Say No And Make Alliance An Issue of Security, Not CharityUkraine has dropped its ban on joining NATO. Doing so will antagonize Russia without gaining any practical help from the U.S. or Europe.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/26/ukraine-wants-to-join-nato-and-fight-russia-u-s-must-say-no-and-make-alliance-an-issue-of-security-not-charity/Fri, 26 Dec 2014 08:46:00 -0500Ukraine has dropped its ban on joining NATO. Doing so will antagonize Russia without gaining any practical help from the U.S. or Europe.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/22/thailands-military-junta-destroys-democracy-enjoys-exercising-power-generals-postpone-elections-before-rigging-them/
Thailand's Military Junta Destroys Democracy, Enjoys Exercising Power: Generals Postpone Elections Before Rigging ThemThailand's military junta appears to be enjoying the exercise of power. The longer it delays restoring democracy, the greater the chance of civil conflict.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/22/thailands-military-junta-destroys-democracy-enjoys-exercising-power-generals-postpone-elections-before-rigging-them/Mon, 22 Dec 2014 05:07:00 -0500Thailand's military junta appears to be enjoying the exercise of power. The longer it delays restoring democracy, the greater the chance of civil conflict.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/20/punish-north-korea-for-cyber-assault-recognize-kim-jong-un-and-give-pyongyang-some-benefits-to-lose/
'Punish' North Korea For Cyber Assault: Recognize Kim Jong-Un And Give Pyongyang Some Benefits To LoseWashington should "punish" North Korea by getting out of the conflict. Let South Korea defend itself and recognize Pyongyang.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/20/punish-north-korea-for-cyber-assault-recognize-kim-jong-un-and-give-pyongyang-some-benefits-to-lose/Sat, 20 Dec 2014 09:54:00 -0500Washington should "punish" North Korea by getting out of the conflict. Let South Korea defend itself and recognize Pyongyang.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/18/president-obama-right-to-call-for-trade-with-cuba-half-century-of-failed-embargo-is-enough/
President Obama Right To Call For Trade With Cuba: Half Century Of Failed Embargo Is EnoughWashington's half century attempt to force regime change in Cuba has failed. It is time to normalize relations with Havana.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/18/president-obama-right-to-call-for-trade-with-cuba-half-century-of-failed-embargo-is-enough/Thu, 18 Dec 2014 05:49:00 -0500Washington's half century attempt to force regime change in Cuba has failed. It is time to normalize relations with Havana.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/15/how-many-enemies-does-america-want-congress-sacrifices-u-s-security-with-new-sanctions-against-russia/
How Many Enemies Does America Want? Congress Sacrifices U.S. Security With New Sanctions Against RussiaThe irresponsible Congress has rammed through new sanctions against Russia with no debate. The result could be a new Cold War.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/15/how-many-enemies-does-america-want-congress-sacrifices-u-s-security-with-new-sanctions-against-russia/Mon, 15 Dec 2014 07:00:00 -0500The irresponsible Congress has rammed through new sanctions against Russia with no debate. The result could be a new Cold War.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/08/myanmar-reforms-slip-into-reverse-can-burmas-democracy-and-obamas-number-one-foreign-policy-success-be-saved/
Myanmar Reforms Slip Into Reverse: Can Burma's Democracy And Obama's Number One Foreign Policy Success Be Saved?Burma risks stalling out on its reform journey with much yet to do. The U.S. must continue to engage the government and military behind it, leavening high hopes with realistic expectations.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/08/myanmar-reforms-slip-into-reverse-can-burmas-democracy-and-obamas-number-one-foreign-policy-success-be-saved/Mon, 8 Dec 2014 07:00:00 -0500Burma risks stalling out on its reform journey with much yet to do. The U.S. must continue to engage the government and military behind it, leavening high hopes with realistic expectations.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/01/the-battle-for-ukraine-u-s-and-russia-must-find-an-exit-if-not-stage-a-reset/
The Battle For Ukraine: U.S. And Russia Must Find An Exit If Not Stage A ResetEveryone is losing from the new Cold War lite with Russia. An escape from the bloody impasse must be found.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/12/01/the-battle-for-ukraine-u-s-and-russia-must-find-an-exit-if-not-stage-a-reset/Mon, 1 Dec 2014 07:00:00 -0500Everyone is losing from the new Cold War lite with Russia. An escape from the bloody impasse must be found.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/11/26/u-s-filled-okinawa-with-bases-and-japan-kept-them-there-okinawans-again-say-no/
U.S. Filled Okinawa With Bases And Japan Kept Them There: Okinawans Again Say NoTokyo and Washington treat Okinawa like a military colony. Okinawans again have voted for liberation.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/11/26/u-s-filled-okinawa-with-bases-and-japan-kept-them-there-okinawans-again-say-no/Wed, 26 Nov 2014 07:00:00 -0500Tokyo and Washington treat Okinawa like a military colony. Okinawans again have voted for liberation.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/11/24/bury-lenins-body-and-the-rest-of-communism-in-red-square-he-lies-in-state-mocking-humanity-3/
Bury Lenin's Body And The Rest Of Communism: In Red Square He Lies In State, Mocking HumanityLenin's corpse mocks the world from his tomb in Red Square. Vladimir Putin should show what he is not and bury this ugly relic of Communism.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/11/24/bury-lenins-body-and-the-rest-of-communism-in-red-square-he-lies-in-state-mocking-humanity-3/Mon, 24 Nov 2014 07:00:00 -0500Lenin's corpse mocks the world from his tomb in Red Square. Vladimir Putin should show what he is not and bury this ugly relic of Communism.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/11/17/obama-administration-loses-collective-mind-sending-troops-to-iraq-targeting-assad-in-syria/
Obama Administration Loses Collective Mind: Sending Troops To Iraq, Targeting Assad In Syria?The administration reportedly plans a "Syria-first" policy to fight ISIL. It's a bad idea which could cost America dearly.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/11/17/obama-administration-loses-collective-mind-sending-troops-to-iraq-targeting-assad-in-syria/Mon, 17 Nov 2014 07:00:00 -0500The administration reportedly plans a "Syria-first" policy to fight ISIL. It's a bad idea which could cost America dearly.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/11/10/congress-should-reject-president-barack-obamas-request-to-authorize-war-against-the-islamic-state/
Congress Should Reject President's Request To Authorize War Against ISISThe president was right to ask for legal authority for war. Congress should say no.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/11/10/congress-should-reject-president-barack-obamas-request-to-authorize-war-against-the-islamic-state/Mon, 10 Nov 2014 02:38:00 -0500The president was right to ask for legal authority for war. Congress should say no.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/11/05/republicans-take-senate-likely-to-push-for-more-war-war-that-will-never-end/
Republicans Take Senate, Likely To Push For More War -- War That Will Never EndThe coming GOP Senate is likely to push for more wars. Wars which will spark new and equally foolish interventions.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/11/05/republicans-take-senate-likely-to-push-for-more-war-war-that-will-never-end/Wed, 5 Nov 2014 08:32:00 -0500The coming GOP Senate is likely to push for more wars. Wars which will spark new and equally foolish interventions.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/10/30/confronting-the-afghan-narco-state-end-the-international-drug-war/
Confronting The Afghan Narco-State: End The International Drug WarPoppy production in Afghanistan is at record levels. It is time to try alternatives to the failed drug war.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/10/30/confronting-the-afghan-narco-state-end-the-international-drug-war/Thu, 30 Oct 2014 07:00:00 -0400Poppy production in Afghanistan is at record levels. It is time to try alternatives to the failed drug war.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/10/28/suffering-through-the-neocon-moment-warmongering-and-nation-building-dont-work/
Suffering Through The Neocon Moment: Warmongering and Nation-Building Don't WorkThe Neocon Moment has arrived. It represents the foolishness and arrogance of those who try social engineering abroad.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/10/28/suffering-through-the-neocon-moment-warmongering-and-nation-building-dont-work/Tue, 28 Oct 2014 07:00:00 -0400The Neocon Moment has arrived. It represents the foolishness and arrogance of those who try social engineering abroad.http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/10/20/republican-party-hawks-demand-more-military-spending-than-during-the-cold-war-washington-should-stop-squandering-defense-dollars-to-protect-other-nations/
Washington Should Stop Squandering "Defense" Dollars On Rich Allies And Failed StatesThe U.S. spends too much on the Pentagon, mostly to protect wealthy allies. America should scale back its foreign responsibilities and cut military outlays.Doug Bandow, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/10/20/republican-party-hawks-demand-more-military-spending-than-during-the-cold-war-washington-should-stop-squandering-defense-dollars-to-protect-other-nations/Mon, 20 Oct 2014 12:22:00 -0400The U.S. spends too much on the Pentagon, mostly to protect wealthy allies. America should scale back its foreign responsibilities and cut military outlays.